unless it can be shown
that the offers for the
longer term are
in advance of those
made for the Annual monopoly
so as to justify your Government
in this
course you propose
I
am
aware
that
deciding to let the
Opium farm for a longer
period than one year
you are
following
a
precedent adopted in the
S. Settlements, but I am
bound to observe that Experience goes to show that a much
larger revenue would now be obtained from this source
if the local Govt had continued
to adhere to the system
of
Mr.
MINUTE.
Mr. Meade
Mr. Holland. Mr. Herbert.
Mr. Hugessen.
Lord Kimberley.
to break down a combination
against the Govt
the
letting
system of the Annual
farm
I do not consider
it advisable as suggested
by former officials that the
Govt should take the Opium monopoly
into
its own
hands.
As
this
has worked
system of farming
the monopoly
satisfactorily
in other
Colonies and with the Evidence I have before
me I am of opinion that it is better for
the local Govt to adhere to the system of letting the farm annually unless as I have already remarked the offers which you may